CRUELTY TO A COW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20257, 17 May 1929, Page 13

CRUELTY TO A COW.

MAORI OWNER CONVICTED^

FINE OF £lO IMPOSED.

ALLEGATIONS OF THE POLICE. Ley TELEGRAPH. —OWN COtUIESI'O.NDENT.] MAIITON, Thursdny. "This is a sequel to a brutal attack on a herd of dumb animals," said Constable Thompson, in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when opening the prosecution of Miira to Tomo, of Tokorangi, who was confronted with five charges of wanton cruelty to his dairy cows. "Tho injuries," the constable added, "were of such a sordid nature that they wero ghastly to see. We found cows with their eyes knocked out, some with sores on their backs, others with swollen stifle joints, and many with their horns knocked off. All wero frightened at tho sight of a man." With oue exception, all tho witnesses called by the police were Maoris, who wero very definite in stating that they had seen Te Tomo hitting the cows with a big stick. Other witnesses gave evidence of the shocking state of tho animals. The magistrate said there was clear and abundant proof in regard to the first charge of striking a cow on tho back with some instrument, and on this a conviction would be entered. The other charges wero not proved, arid were an inference only, and would be dismissed. A fine of £lO was imposed, with costs totalling £3 Bs, and witnesses' expenses £4 10s, in default 10 days' imprisonment.